Claire Kowalick, Times Record News
Published 11:45 a.m. CT April 2, 2018

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North Texas Veterans' Relief Fund donations director, Virginia Arellano, looks at site plans Friday for what will become Base Camp Lindsey, a homeless veteran housing site, located on Old Windthorst Rd.(Photo: CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS)Buy Photo

A tiny-home project for previously homeless veterans in Wichita Falls could come another step closer to reality with action by the city council Tuesday.

The Wichita Falls City Council will have a public hearing followed by consideration of an ordinance to amend the city’s code of ordinances to allow planned unit developments within the city to be smaller than five acres.

Planned unit developments (PUDs) are areas with a special purpose to allow flexibility in development, design standards and site planning.

The action comes after the notion was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their March 14 meeting.

The motion was unanimously approved by the commission to change the city code to decrease the minimum PUD size from five acres to three.

The P&Z and council approval of the ordinance change do not directly relate to any specific project.

It is, however, a necessary step for a North Texas Veterans Relief Fund project called Base Camp Lindsey.

The Kemp location was originally planned for a duplex development, but is now home to Fox Hill Restaurant and Garden.

Base Camp Lindsey is named for Felix L. Lindsey – a veteran, Buffalo Soldier during the Indian Wars and longtime resident of the Wichita Falls east side.

A long-term plan turned into a two-year plan after land for the development was donated to the group last year.

NTVRF treasurer Virginia Arellano said their goal is to gather at least $500,000 for the project.

The houses will be designed as transitional living units for veterans to reside in until they can get the help they need and back on their feet.

Some of the units will be set aside for veterans who need a permanent place to stay.

Each single-person “tiny home” will include a sleeping area, sitting area, bathroom, closet and mini-kitchen with small refrigerator and microwave. Each unit costs about $10,000 each.

An early artistic rendering of the Base Camp Lindsey community for homeless veterans. The project is moving forward with the North Texas Veterans' Relief Fund nonprofit presenting their master plan to the city in April.(Photo: Contributed photo)

The area will also include handicapped-accessible homes and 10 larger houses for veterans with families.

The community center will be one of the first things they build, Arellano said, and will serve as a focus for the community.

Arellano said, if the city approved the plans and enough funds are raised, construction will begin with the community center, amenities and five houses. As funds allow, they will continue to add more homes.

NTVRF is hosting a Frontier Days fundraiser from noon to 7 p.m. on April 21 at Oscar Park in Iowa Park, near Gordon Lake, with proceeds to benefit the tiny homes project.

The public hearing and ordinance consideration will be part of the Wichita Falls City Council meeting, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, at the council chambers 1300 Seventh Street.

For more information about the NTVRF and Base Camp Lindsey, visit their website at https://www.ntvrf.com/, or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NTVRF.